jis ki hamein talash thi manzil yahi to hai

jis kī hameñ talāsh thī manzil yahī to hai

is kā.enāt-e-husn kī mahfil yahī to hai

nazroñ kī taab laa.eñ ki thāmeñ vo jām-e-mai

saaqī jahāñ meñ rind kī mushkil yahī to hai

ab tiir hai kamāñ meñ na ḳhanjar hai haath meñ

phir bhī hamārī jaan kā qātil yahī to hai

dekhī thī us ke husn kī āñkhoñ se ik jhalak

terā asiir tab se huā dil yahī to hai

arse se ahl-e-sidq-o-safā ke liye hai daar

sach bolne kā dahr meñ hāsil yahī to hai

maujoñ se bach ke nikle to ye kārvān-e-dil

tūfānoñ se ghirā huā sāhil yahī to hai

da.avā hai us ko ishq kā kuchh āzmā.iye

'aḳhtar' hai ye sazāoñ ke qābil yahī to hai

jis ki hamein talash thi manzil yahi to hai

is kaenat-e-husn ki mahfil yahi to hai

nazron ki tab laen ki thamen wo jam-e-mai

saqi jahan mein rind ki mushkil yahi to hai

ab tir hai kaman mein na KHanjar hai hath mein

phir bhi hamari jaan ka qatil yahi to hai

dekhi thi us ke husn ki aankhon se ek jhalak

tera asir tab se hua dil yahi to hai

arse se ahl-e-sidq-o-safa ke liye hai dar

sach bolne ka dahr mein hasil yahi to hai

maujon se bach ke nikle to ye karwan-e-dil

tufanon se ghira hua sahil yahi to hai

dawa hai us ko ishq ka kuchh aazmaiye

'aKHtar' hai ye sazaon ke qabil yahi to hai